If you’re ready to celebrate real-life heroes alongside fictional characters that aim to move the needle forward in their own lives or for the greater good, you’re sure to find something on this list. Grab a box of tissues and a snack and gather loved ones to stream these uplifting movies over a weekend-long marathon or a digital viewing party. Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama Starring: Chris O’Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy Director: Wayne Blair Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes Genre: Biography, Drama Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper Director: David O. Russell Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart Director: Jon Favreau Motion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes Genre: Biography, Drama, History Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae Director: Theodore Melfi Motion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 2 hours, 7 minutes Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Starring: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black Director: Pete Doctor, Ronnie Del Carmen Motion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes While the story centers around young Riley and her new move to San Francisco, it’s a priceless reminder to all of us, at any age, that embracing our emotions is an excellent thing. Genre: Drama Starring: Shaun Parkes, Letitia Wright, Malachi Kirby Director: Steve McQueen Motion Picture Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 2 hours, 7 minutes Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama Starring: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes Heartwarming without being saccharine, it’s a story about unconditional acceptance and forging friendships and family in unlikely but beautiful places. Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo Director: Jon Favreau Motion Picture Rating: R Runtime: 1 hour, 54 minutes Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery Starring: Andy Samberg, Cristin Millioti, J.K. Simmons Director: Max Barbakow Motion Picture Rating: R Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris Director: Boaz Yakin Motion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes This movie delivers an enduring message of racial acceptance that doesn’t require you to love football to root for the team or feel moved by their bonds. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Starring: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen Director: Clea DuVall Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes Part rom-com, part holiday movie, this feature doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it offers Yuletide cheer with a fresh pinch of inclusivity. Genre: Documentary Starring: Judith Heumann, Jim LeBrecht, Denise Sherer Jacobsen Director: Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht Motion Picture Rating: R Runtime: 1 hour, 46 minutes They are visible and independent at camp and strive to achieve the same qualities in everyday life by fighting for representation and long-overdue civil rights for people with disabilities. Genre: Comedy, Drama Starring: Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin Benjamin Director: Radha Blank Motion Picture Rating: R Runtime: 2 hours, 3 minutes If you need a reminder that success doesn’t always have a set path or fall by a certain age, this is a cathartic and humorous homage to staying true to oneself. Genre: Biography, Drama Starring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith Director: Gabriele Muccino Motion Picture Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes It’s impossible not to root for Gardner and his son and feel moved by the heartfelt outcome of the main character’s hard work and determination. Genre: Documentary Starring: John Chester Director: John Chester Motion Picture Rating: PG Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes Be warned: This movie could leave you wanting to frolic in nature and take better care of the planet.
